Monday, July 31, 2006

Welcome to new family members Jodi and Derek! What can we say, it is raining brides and grooms and we are so blessed to have the very best of the best from all over the country! Jodi has one of those great (looooooooooong) last names that we will be struggling with until her big day! They are a wonderful couple and we look forward to working with them from now until forever!

For the rest of us in St. Louis, we are HOT HOT HOT. 102 today and that is without the heat index--- yuk. Stay cool, be safe and check on your neighbors please! We will all remind one another of the incredible heat when it is cold and snowy outside. Did someone say snow? Even in the heat that does not sound like a great option!

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Nonni & Josh are two of the recent brides and grooms that have come to Bobbi Brinkman Photography for a consultation and stayed to join the family!

The day we met them they were on their way to Six Flags so there is no doubt that this great couple knows how to have FUN!

We are looking forward to photographing your once in a lifetime day Nonni & Josh, and for capturing all of your special events as your lives go forward--- with 'Image from the Heart..."

Welcome to the family!

It is just nasty hot again here in St. Louis. At least (almost) everyone has their power restored from the storms. Stay cool, watch out for each other, keep kindness in your heart and count your blessings!

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Yes, that IS the question! One of the things we get asked a lot is what kind of table favors do we see at wedding receptions? The answer is to ask what kind of a wedding are you having? What is your vision? What do you have as a starting point? What is your budget? Are you crafty or will you rely on purchased items?

YMany venues have available centerpieces, use what they have and build on that. For example if a large cut glass round candle vase is available, consider using that and build around it with smaller votive holders in your wedding colors.YBands of fabric in satin or organdy using your colors are an inexpensive and polished look for your tables. If you don’t sew, pink the edges so they don’t ravel.YCarry your theme throughout your reception. If you are using a brown and blue color theme and the bride and groom are both musicians, then don’t be afraid to have table favors that are musical themed.YYes, we DO see personalized matchbooks as favors but there are other ideas as well that add a lot of sparkle. Consider personalized cakeboxes, an old fashioned yet charming idea that guests take home a piece of wedding cake in a box. Unmarried guests are to place the box under their pillow and they will dream of their soon to be spouse. Personally we say take the cake home and eat it with a glass of cold milk but who are we to argue with tradition? How about cocktail napkins with your monogram? Take home votives with a special verse or your date?YGoogle is your friend. When you see and idea you love, use Google to search that item online. You may find directions to make it, or value priced vendors who can create something for you.

YWhat works in every instance is to start with your VISION. Then comes your BUDGET..... it is not impossible to join the two. Keep a log of photos and ideas you like, if necessary replicate the look yourself using 'ingredients' you can purchase yourself. Be consistent with your theme, and start early. That way you can relax and enjoy your very special day!

YDon’t be afraid to insert your own personality, hobbies, or favorite things in your theme! The best weddings are those that incorporate unique and individual ideas.YSeek out local vendors such as wholesale florists that may have not only floral elements, but ribbon, display items, candles both traditional and battery powered, and other great things you might not have even thought of!YDon’t let yourself get overwhelmed! And Trust in your own creative spirit, everyone has one!

Monday, July 24, 2006

Greg & Tammy are the latest bride and groom to become part of the wedding family-- it is a pleasure to welcome them! It sounds as if they will have a great time during the weeklong celebration they have planned for their once in a lifetime event! What a whirlwind of fun! Their planned honeymoon is so fantastic everyone wants to go--- c'mon it is hard to beat Paris in the springtime!

We are ready to send out our latest newsletter to brides, if you aren't on the mailing list please email info@BobbiBrinkmanPhotography.com, or call the studio at (314) 361-9899 and we will be happy to include you.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Carin and Michael were an "instant click" for us............ a fantastic couple! We're thrilled to be photographing their wedding next year and working with them from now till forever! This dynamic duo walks their talk, and are really fun to boot! Welcome to the family indeed!

Speaking of a lot of fun -- and adding what great sports--- brings us to Steven and Teresa. They were married on a fabulous getaway escape destination, and their local reception was held last night for their lucky family and friends. This wonderful bride and groom managed to triumph over no electricity, heat stroke, and lots of problems with venue and other details. It was a pleasure to see them maintain their sweet and loving dispositions when some would have morphed into the quintessential "bride or groom zilla"!

We're the luckiest studio in the world to be blessed with such incredible brides, grooms and clients in general!

Saturday, July 22, 2006

What could possibly happen next???? Two storms passing through have left many without power, some of the power restored early yesterday was gone again in the afternoon when the second storm rolled through! We were so lucky to have power at the studio as well as telephone and internet for all but a few hours mainly when we were closed at night. Driving around the city the downed trees, limbs, and debris are everywhere and many still don't have power--- it is amazing! At least the heat has broken today and St. Louis should be bright and sunny with a high in the low 80's. Last night an enormous water main broke near the south part of the city so many people already impacted by the storm had low (or no) water pressure. The road is still closed from 3 to 5 feet of water in the area and the Science Center was evacuated! (Thanks to KSDK for the photo). We cross our fingers that the worst of all this is over for our city!

It brings me to the point that brides and grooms ALWAYS need a Plan B! Our wedding today is to have photography in a park that is pretty well torn up with storm damage and the reception venue has not had power for 3 days!!!! Photography won't be an issue as we always have a plan b (c, d, and e if necessary)---- and the reception says that they will be finding a generator. We have our fingers crossed for our wedding couple.

Brides and grooms always ask the question of photographers "what happens if on my wedding day you become sick, or are in any way unable to shoot my wedding?" Make sure you ask your reception venue what happens if they lose power or the building is somehow damaged on their wedding day. Plan B is always a good idea for all phases of a wedding!

Friday, July 21, 2006

Jennifer & Dustin have joined the wedding family at Bobbi Brinkman Photography! It is a pleasure to have them with us, we look forward to the pleasure of working with them and their families.

The weather promises to break a bit here in St. Louis, no matter how little it will be nice. The power is slowly coming back to those without it and the clean up is still in process. Let's hope for less humidity and heat-- enough to take a breath for the weekend perhaps! Hang in there!

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Whew! We've been away from the studio doing one of our favorite things............ a destination wedding! It is an honor to photograph any wedding, but when one of our brides asks us to go along on her adventure it is always a treat.

Last week we were in the Blue Ridge Mountains.......... talk about perfect timing!! The mountain air was cool and clean, the skies blue and the views sublime--- here at home in St. Louis it is just flat out HOT! The word "hot" really doesn't even begin to describe it. Hmmmmmmmm, let's see, air conditioners that run non-stop and bring huge electric bills, power outages, short tempers around town, mowing the lawn at 5 a.m. just because, endless watering the lawn and plants at 9 p.m. -OR- enjoying a fabulous time in the mountains, laughing, celebrating, and keeping fairly "glisten" free! (We didn't even mention barbeque and hot tubs!)

We even got a chance to visit the Biltmore Estate, now there is a house. Just when you think your house is a little dusty and could use some fresh vacuum tracks think of that gargantuan house! Somehow even the servants quarters look pretty schmancy!

It is great to be back in the studio though! We're catching up by welcoming a number of brides and grooms into the family as well as the opportunity to capture several other life milestones with "Images from the Heart..." as well. What a blessing to work your passion every day!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

It was an exceptionally cool day---- for July in St. Louis..................... we met Robyn and Mark for their engagement session at the Park. The time was spent with laughter and fun. No doubt that we'll all have a great time together when their wedding day comes around this fall. Thanks for the smiles, we look forward to your once in a lifetime event, and to capturing your day with Images from the Heart..."

Monday, July 10, 2006

We thank you all for a fantastic show yesterday at the Chesterfield DoubleTree! It was great to have met so many wonderful people. It was a bit warm in the ballroom, body heat seemed to triumph for awhile--- otherwise the food was great, the crowd was cooperative and friendly. We had so much fun talking to everyone.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

What a pleasure it was to photograph Jeff and Jonna's wedding! We had such a wonderful time and enjoyed every moment with this great bride and groom and their large group of family and friends.

Jeff and Jonna saw each other before the ceremony, we arranged it privately in the church in which they were married. They both got ready separately and then Jonna came down the aisle to Jeff---- to be an unobtrusive spectator was breathtaking, incredible and touching. Everyone who witnessed this amazing moment in the lives of this loving couple was moved to tears and expressed the sentiment that every bride and groom ought to do it this way.

Then it was off to the park to photograph what was a magical time with their bridal party. They not only all had a great time but were such good sports! What a blast!

When it came time for the wedding itself, after a bit of downtime to refresh and relax, the moment was golden. It was a lovely ceremony and all of their guests were touched by their devotion, and generosity.

The reception featured individual cakes on every table, unique as well as pretty! And a candy table was a hit with the crowd as well. Dancing and happiness was definitely the order of the evening.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

We've been crazy busy at the Studio........... we have much to share (and we will!) Wedding images that are spectacular, new Brides and Grooms to welcome to the wedding family at Bobbi Brinkman Photography, and more. Whew!

But this weekend we pause and celebrate a great holiday weekend with many other friends and families around the country. Relax if you can, barbeque with your family, and generally enjoy those things that renew your spirit and refresh your soul. Celebrate freedom (with a nod that freedom is never free), enjoy, and set off some fireworks!